Going Meatless in March

Even though meat production is linked to global warming, it can be pretty daunting to give up cold turkey, so to speak, but lessening your intake can be simple. Swapping a few meat-heavy meals with plant-based ones can be a great way to lighten your carbon footprint, put a little less pressure on your heart and instill a healthy balance in your children’s lifestyles.

Kick start March with a meat-free month or just stick to meatless Mondays and you’ll see — it’s really not so difficult.

Fill Your Freezer

Go the whole month without eating meat with simple swaps. Stock your freezer with meatless options like veggie burgers, Gardenin products, Quorn, Field Roast and a slew of easy-to-find items in the freezer section. Having a freezer of high-protein, no-meat options is a great way to make a quick, easy meal without fussing over new ingredients your family is unfamiliar with. Having the fake meat, for lack of a better word, option is also a great way to feel satisfied with your plant-filled option — especially if you’re just dipping your toe into the meat-free life.

Photo: Svitlana Tereshchenko | Dreamstime.com

Fill Your Refrigerator

Just a side note: Don’t forget to fill the refrigerator with pre-cut fruits and veggies, avocados, cheese sticks and filling items like Greek yogurt. You should also have nut butters, whole grains, pastas, vegetable broth, potatoes and a variety of beans in the pantry to make your own Buddha bowls, soups and veggie-heavy pastas, as you’ll want some variety and not all frozen meals, all the time.

Yes, You Can Still go Out

Dining out? Honestly, also not that tough. Anyone celebrating Lent can tell you, one day a week sans meat isn’t going to stop your family from enjoying a night out every once in a while. Ask the server some questions — some of your favorite meals may be able to be made meat-free or altered slightly to accommodate your veggie needs. Get a look at the menu before heading to the restaurant, but chances are, you can find a pasta dish or load of sides to fill up on if there isn’t a meat-free dish on the menu.

Plant-based meals are becoming far more popular (and, frankly, delicious) all around the world — even while traveling, your family can stick to meat-free March, or Monday, or life.